Food Spotlight Dates

Dates, the fruit of the date palm phoenix dactylifera with a yellow skin and brown sweet flesh enclosing a single elongated stone, which grow in clusters arranged in two rows along a central stalk. Usually traded in dried form which is sticky and sweet. Date sales go through the roof during Ramadan as it is sunnah to break your fast with dates because they are high in water and sugar which brings you out of your sluggish state, are easily digested, high in vitamins and minerals and during pregnancy strengthen the muscles of the uterus which must be one of the reasons Allah (swt) told Mary, mother of Isa to eat dates. (Quran 19.23-26)

The prophet(pbuh) ate dates regularly and encouraged us to do the same so when you are eating dates you not only get the physical benefits which are still being discovered but the spiritual benefits of becoming closer to the Messenger (pbuh) by following his tradition.

Abu Muhammad always likes to have dates on hand for guests that we were once asked if it's always Ramadan at our house:P, after reading the hadith reported by Aisha (ra) that a home that has dates will not be hungry it's not a bad idea to have few around.

Food Spotlight

GINGER is a knobby, light brown coloured fleshy root of a tropical plant 'zanjabil' with a warm aroma and hot burning taste. It is available fresh, dried, preserved in sugar syrup and as a ground dried powder. ginger is mentioned in the Quran as a drink we will receive "And there will be circulated among them vessels of silver and cups having been[created] clear [as glass],
Clear glasses [made] from silver of which they have determined the measure.
And they will be given to drink a cup [of wine] whose mixture is of ginger.
[From] a fountain within Paradise named Salsabeel.
There will circulate among them young boys made eternal. When you see them, you would think them [as beautiful as] scattered pearls.
And when you look there [in Paradise], you will see pleasure and great dominion." (76.15-20)

Ginger reduces nausea helps with digestion and increases sexual drive.

Alhumdulillah

Alhumdulillah is an Arabic word meaning all praise is do to Allah. Muslims around the world praise Allah(swt) after every blessing whether one perceives it good or bad, it is especially good manners to give praise after eating or drinking.
It was narrated that the Prophet(pbuh) said, "Allah is indeed pleased with His slave when he eats a meal and then praises Him for it, or drinks a drink and then praises Him for it." (muslim)

What is Mashbooh?

Mashbooh is an Arabic word which means suspected, if you can not decide if a food item is halal or haram than it is mashbooh an example of this is you buy some vegetable oil but it does not say 100% so maybe 10% is made from some other animal or plant but you can't find out for sure, this would be suspect.

"Halal is clear and Haram is clear; in between these two are certain things that are suspected. Many people may not know whether those items are Halal or Haram. Whosoever leaves them, he is innocent towards his religion and his conscience. He is , therefore, safe. Anyone who gets involved in any of these suspected items, he may fall into the unlawful and the prohibition. This case is similar to the one who wishes to raise his animals next to a restricted area, he may step into in. Indeed for every landlord there is a restricted area. Indeed the restrictions of Allah are the unlawful." (reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

What is makrooh?

Makrooh is an Arabic word which means discouraged or hated. If one finds that in their diet the food or drink is harmful to your health than that food or drink is discouraged. Examples of this may be tea, coffee, soft drinks because of their stimulating effects, causes of tooth decay and bad breath.

What is Haram?

Haram is an Arabic word meaning unlawful or forbidden. Concerning food in Islam pork and its by-products, alcohol, meat of dead animal, animals slaughtered in a name other than Allah(swt), blood and intoxicating drugs are all haram.
If there is no other food available for your survival you may eat some just enough for your survival.

Allah(swt) says,
He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allāh. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.(2:173)

What is Zabiha?

Zabiha is an Arabic word which means slaughtered in Islam there are a list of rules pertaining to the method of slaughter so anytime zabiha is used for meat it should be halal.
1.) what the animal consumes as food should be halal according to its dietary needs, any injections it may receive should also be halal
2.) a sharp knife should be used so it does not feel pain and away from other animals so they do not witness it
3.) cut the throat, windpipe and jugular vein in the neck being careful not to cut the spinal cord. drain the blood completely before the head is removed
4.) the name of Allah should be pronounced while slaughtering

What is the meaning of Halal?

Halal is an Arabic word meaning permissible or lawful. Everything is considered lawful unless it is explicitly or implicitly forbidden by the religion.
If you are doing halal you are going to be healthy:)